Airlines Touting Brazil as New Hotspot

South America’s destinations are hard to travel to. For people with samba fever outside of a few major hub cities (like Miami), a trip to Brazil means at least one connecting flight in the US. Anyone who plans to spend time outside of the major cities of Sao Paulo or Rio will have to catch another flight once they arrive in the metropolises. These extra flights can add up.

Soon, it will be easier (and cheaper) to get to Brazil’s cities from the US. And just in time for the Southern Hemisphere’s summer. American Airlines is offering flights to the northeastern city of Salvador beginning in November. AA is also planning on providing service to the nearby coastal town of Recife. Delta is taking it a step further, offering flights to the Amazonian city of Manaus from Atlanta beginning at the end of the year. American is offering introductory rates for people traveling from major east coast cities like Boston and New York. Prices average $425 one-way if purchased before December 2nd.


10 tips for smarter flying


Breaking News! Travelocity Gnome terrorizes South American town! Eats chickens! Steals babies!

Video from The Sun surfaced this morning showing an alleged gnome running around an Argentinian town, scaring the living daylights out of local teens. My thoughts are that this is either a hoax or a clever viral marketing campaign courtesy of Travelocity. Watch the video below and just try to fight the urge to book a three day two night cruise to Cancun and Belize. But it’s such a good deal!

Be sure to check out the Sun Article here.

Paddling the Altiplano

Kayaker extraordinaire and videographer Alex Nicks makes me green. With envy. He is constantly globetrotting with a team of National Geographic explorers to bring us some of the most lovely and inspiring reportage from far off places where kayaks can go. And though you might not think that the Altiplano of South America is such a place (it is one of the driest places on earth and the place that most closely approximates Mars on our planet) this video shot by Alex shows what a hospitable place it actually is for kayaks.

The video here, though short, is chock full of breath-taking scenery and sweet shots, well, people paddling. The short is part of the epic paddling series Oceans 8 with Jon Bowermaster, a gadling hero. Check it out.